Narrative Short Films 2015

Narrative Short Film Programs

Program 1: "Strange Days Indeed"

NATURE Rx II

Justin Bogardus, director (in person)(USA, 2015, 2 min)

Feeling tired, irritable or stressed out? Try nature. This harmless prescription has been shown to relieve the crippling symptoms of modern life and produce feelings of confidence, spontaneous euphoria, or being in a good mood for no apparent reason.

THE BOY SCOUT

Patrick Brooks, director (in person)(USA, 2013, 14 min)

Trapped in their car for days after an unexpected snowstorm strands them on a remote mountain road, Grant and Leah confront a life-or-death decision: with another storm on the way, should they stay together, or go separate ways?

THE HAIRCUT

It's 1976, and eighteen-year-old Amy is among the first class of female cadets accepted into military service academies. Under incredible emotional and physical strain, Amy struggles to survive her first day and fights to prove she has what it takes.

OBITUARIES

Ryan Moody (in person)(USA, 2014, 13 min)

After a school shooting leaves six people dead, their obituaries chronicle their lives and give a glimpse into who they were, who they loved, who they hurt, and who they wanted to be.

SIMON SAYS

Jamie Sterba, director (in person)(USA, 2014, 20 min)

Plagued by disconcerting thoughts inside his head, a self-doubting entrepreneur begins to suspect that they may not be his own.

DAY ONE

Henry Hughes(USA, 2014, 25 min)

Inspired by a true story. An Afghan-American woman joins the US Military as an interpreter. On her first day in Afghanistan, when her unit finds a bomb-maker's pregnant wife in labor, the interpreter must go beyond the call of duty to deliver her breech child. Nominated for a Student Academy Award.

BIS GLEICH

Set against the backdrop of a rapidly gentrifying Berlin, Bis Gleich tells the story of Marta and Albert, two elderly neighbors, who share an unspoken connection that deepens when they face the inevitable...together.

TEHACHAPI

Dalila Droege(USA, 2015, 10 min)

A brother and sister reconnect during a hike to one of their father's favorite train-watching places. While there, they encounter several people who remind them of their Dad, who has recently passed away. Starring Amy Seimetz and AJ Bowen

COME, THE LIGHT

Chao Koi Wang(Macao, 2015, 28 min)

In this amazing debut from Macao, two star-crossed lovers and a flock of greedy fools, spend an eccentric night together, fighting over a lottery ticket.

Program #3: "The Odd and Quirky"

NATURE Rx I

Justin Bogardus, director, (in person)(USA, 2015, 2 min)

Feeling tired, irritable or stressed out? Try nature. This harmless prescription has been shown to relieve the crippling symptoms of modern life and produce feelings of confidence, spontaneous euphoria, or being in a good mood for no apparent reason.

LA HIJA

Jazmín Rada(Spain, 2015, 5 min)

Fátima wants to play, but her father is too busy. She has imagination and some magical balloons... and something very spooky happens.

TICK TOCK

Zeynep Kocak(Turkey, 2015, 9 min)

In this superior animated film, an old man wakes up to his routine day and comes up with an idea to break it - and end his loneliness.

SUPERIOR

Erin Vassilopoulos(USA, 2015, 16 min)

A stranger passing through town sparks a teenage girl’s desire to distinguish herself from her identical twin sister. As one sister struggles to break free, the other insists on preserving their distinctive bond.

L'AUTOSTOPPEUR

Julien Paolini(France, 2015, 19 mins)

In this nod to classical noir, a cyclist tools down a country lane only to be hit by a big American car, a couple on board. No time to get rid of the body as a hitchhiker shows up. But what exactly did he see? The charismatic young man doesn't seem to be willing to let the couple escape unharmed.

BOLERO FOR SURFING IN MORAVIA

Valerio Mendoza Guillén(Venezuela & Czech Rep., 2014, 35 min)

Three Venezuelan friends navigate the Czech culture and countryside trying to marry one of them off. With songs and beautiful landscapes, they enter a crossroad where paths can only be taken alone.

Program #4: "The Fun Program"

I LOVE YOU

Bianca Giaever(USA, 2015, 6 min)

Maia and her boyfriend have been dating for eight years, but they've never said, "I love you." For Valentine's Day, "This American Life" and Bianca Giaever helped Maia make a video to finally say those words. If you need help saying something, please email personalvideo@thislife.org.

MYRNA THE MONSTER

Ian Samuels(USA, 2015, 14 min)

A heartbroken, alien-dreamer from the moon transitions into young adult life in Los Angeles, like any other 20-something.

JIM AND HELEN FOREVER

Jesse Zwick, director (in person)(USA, 2015, 16 min)

On a time crunch to make a decision about marriage, David seeks the guidance of his brother Aaron and best friend Pete in his search for a suitable engagement ring. Directed by Crested Butte favorite, Jesse Zwick.

RUSSIAN ROULETTE

Ben Aston(UK, 2015, 5 min)

London seems a little less lonely when Lucy meets a cosmonaut on chat roulette...

BOOGALOO AND GRAHAM

Michael Lennox(Northern Ireland, 2014, 14 min)

In 1970's Belfast, two young boys are over the moon when their soft-hearted dad presents them with two baby chicks to care for. Raising their tiny charges, declaring themselves vegetarian and dreaming of running a chicken farm, the boys are in for a shock when their parents announce that big changes are coming to the family.

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Film

NATURE Rx III

Justin Bogardus, director, (in person)(USA, 2015, 2 min)

Feeling tired, irritable or stressed out? Try nature. This harmless prescription has been shown to relieve the crippling symptoms of modern life and produce feelings of confidence, spontaneous euphoria, or being in a good mood for no apparent reason.

LUCY

Zoe Lubeck(USA, 2014, 5 min)

Lucy is a story about a girl and her dog, magically drawn on a dry erase board.

HE TOOK OFF HIS SKIN FOR ME

Ben Aston(UK, 2015, 11 min)

The story of a man who takes his skin off for his girlfriend, and why it probably wasn't the best idea...

THE SAMARITANS

John BryantMark Reeb, actor (in person)(Texas, 2015, 13 min)

A salesman faces the most difficult and important negotiation of his life.